Benjamin Mendy's life has changed drastically just three years on from leaving Manchester City, with the defender now living and playing football in Poland.
The 31-year-old was a regular starter for Pep Guardiola's side following his £52 million switch from AS Monaco in 2017, playing 75 times for the club, with nine trophies won in his stint at the Etihad Stadium.
Mendy was charged in 2021 and 2022 with eight counts of rape, one count of sexual assault, and one count of attempted rape, with Man City deciding to suspend him while pending a trial.
He was later found not guilty on all counts in two trials held in late 2022 and early 2023, before he was ultimately released by City at the end of his contract in June 2023.
In three years since, the former France international has played for three different clubs, the latest of which has him living a very different life in Poland.
Benjamin Mendy's Career After Manchester City
Benjamin Mendy @ Manchester City
After the not guilty verdict, and the expiry of his contract at Man City, Mendy made a move to France, where he joined FC Lorient on a two-year deal.
That switch was met with backlash from some of the supporters, but he was available to play regardless, and ended up making his debut for the club in September 2023.
The left-back only managed to feature 15 times for Lorient, as injuries ravaged his second season with the French club, ultimately ending it with two goals and one assist.
That prompted an exit in February 2025, as Mendy moved to Switzerland, joining FC Zurich on a short-term deal until the end of the 2024/25 season.
This move was once again met with criticism, as a local women's charity group hit out at the club's decision to hire the former Manchester City defender.
It was another short stint, as he went on to make just eight appearances for the Swiss club, moving on at the end of his deal to become a free agent.
That summer, a move to Poland was on the cards, as Pogon Szczecin became his next destination, with a one-year deal signed with an option of a further season.
It remains to be seen whether that option will be taken up, with only 11 appearances for the club over the past year, as he could face yet another career move.
Club Appearances Goals Assists Minutes played
Lorient 15 2 1 708
FC Zurich 8 0 1 352
Pogon Szcaecin 11 0 0 371
What Is Benjamin Mendy Doing Now?
Banjamin Mendy
While Mendy's career on the pitch has changed drastically since leaving Manchester City, it appears as though his life has also taken a turn.
A report from the Daily Mail cites that his life in Poland is quiet, living in the city of Szczecin, which is located in the north-west of the country and is home to around 395,000 people.
It's claimed that locals have often seen him pushing a cart around local supermarkets, a far cry from his days being paid millions by Manchester City.
A friend of the player spoke to paper and said: "The young players are in awe of him because of the World Cup and he always finds time to help them and ask how they’re doing. He’s never arrogant, just always friendly and down to earth. He never plays the big man.”
Meanwhile, Polish sports journalist Michal Horbaczewski claims that the player is trying to improve his own public image, stating:
"He is good at mentoring youth members of the club academy, and he also visits schools about twice a month. “He is very popular, smiling with the kids, signing t-shirts, giving autographs etc. The downside is he has hardly played since arriving here. And even when he does play it is only for a short time, perhaps ten or 15 minutes. Generally people think of him positively though.”
It remains to be seen whether that life in Poland will continue, with his contract expiring this summer.